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Educators in England are developing critical thinking among students through a Philosophy Zone Web site, where teachers post weekly podcasts designed to encourage deeper thought on topics including the universe and science. "By encouraging independent, critical thought and the exchange of ideas between students and schools, we hope not only to better equip participants with the skills they need for university, but to inspire those pupils who might not otherwise have considered higher education," one head teacher said.

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Officials on the Mariana Islands say they hope a new salary plan will encourage more teachers to become highly qualified. Such teachers have a degree and teaching certification and have passed the Praxis exam. Under the plan, teachers would be rewarded with additional pay for becoming highly qualified, and those who do not seek that distinction will receive a salary reduction. Seventy-one percent of public-school teachers on the Mariana Islands are considered highly qualified -- up 2 percentage points from the year before.

Five Chinese principals recently visited the US to observe Chinese-language courses there and learn about the country's education system. Chattanooga, Tenn., has partnered with Wuxi, China, as a sister city, and officials from both countries say they hope to learn from each other.

Toronto officials say they are worried about a drop in school funding linked to the decline in the district's school-age population. Enrolment is down throughout Ontario, but Toronto officials say they hope effective marketing will lure students away from private schools to boost enrolment numbers.

New Zealand's teachers are being asked to give up part of their pay raises so officials can afford to give support staff a pay raise as well. The teachers union said it was open to discussing the issue with members but did not believe it was fair that higher-paid educators should be penalised.

Teachers in England have rated the usefulness and effectiveness of educational technology and resources in use in the country's classrooms. Educators say the The Key Stage 2 Revision and Test Practice Whiteboard Science allows teachers to gauge student understanding, and a programme called Honeycomb allows students to collaborate with each other online.